Up and Running in 24 Hours: Teddy Hazelwood on Smyrna Ready Mix's Revolutionary Acquisition Strategy | Building Materials Series

🎙️ From Green Screens to the Cloud: Teddy Hazelwood's Journey Leading Technology at Smyrna Ready MixIn this enlightening episode, Teddy Hazelwood, Chief Information Officer at Smyrna Ready Mix Concrete, shares his remarkable journey from competing in high school computer competitions on green screen terminals to leading technology strategy for one of America's fastest-growing construction materials companies. With refreshing candor, Teddy reveals how his team of just 16 IT professionals supports a mammoth operation spanning 570 locations across 22 states, and how their innovative "cookie-cutter" approach enables them to integrate new acquisitions into their systems within 24 hours.✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:How Smyrna Ready Mix has grown from a single plant in 1999 to 570 locations with 7,500 employees through strategic acquisitions and technological innovationThe company's revolutionary approach to acquisitions - bringing newly acquired companies onto their systems within 24 hours rather than months or yearsWhy concrete is the second most consumed natural resource on Earth after water, and how technology drives this essential industryHow Teddy's team of just 16 IT professionals manages to support thousands of devices across hundreds of locationsThe evolution of zero-trust security and disaster recovery strategies that keep critical infrastructure running 24/7Why concrete companies need industrial-grade cybersecurity to prevent costly production interruptionsHow a high school computer competition set Teddy on his technology career path despite getting his degree in electrical/mechanical engineering🌟 Key People Who Shaped Teddy's Journey:His high school sweetheart/wife: Became his motivation to change his life trajectory during junior year of high school; their 36-year marriage has been his anchor through every career transitionMike Hollingsworth: Owner of Smyrna Ready Mix who Teddy has known for nearly 30 years; gave him the opportunity to join the company full-time after years of friendship and part-time technical supportHis high school computer teacher: Who selected him to compete in the Office Education Association competition that revealed his aptitude for technologyThe Murray, Ohio lawn mower company representatives: Who provided him specialized training on personal computers before his national competitionHis father: Who taught him the value of a strong work ethic and dedication to providing for family, despite growing up in povertyHis high school guidance counselor: Initially told him it was too late to prepare for college, but then helped him create the demanding senior year schedule that made it possibleMicrosoft Azure and SQL Enterprise experts: Whose innovations and training have enabled his team to develop cutting-edge failover and redundancy systems🔗 Connect with Teddy Hazelwood:LinkedIn: Teddy HazelwoodCompany Website: smyrnareadymix.com📄 Transcript Available: "From Green Screens to the Cloud: Teddy Hazelwood's Journey Leading Technology at Smyrna Ready Mix"📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast by AddBack Benefits Agency🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency:AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom lineWebsite: addbackbenefits.com#TechnologyLeadership #ConstructionTechnology #Cybersecurity #BusinessIntegration #VerticalIntegration #ReadyMixConcrete #TechnologyAcquisition #DisasterRecovery #ArtificialIntelligence #InspiredStoriesPodcast